Hand exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising device for the hand is disclosed. A securement is secured to an anchoring member comprising a band with a pair of ends configured to extend around and be secured to the hand of the user and configured to support the anchoring member in a position overlying the palm of the hand of a user and is coupled to the hand of the user. A plurality of fingertip engaging members are each configured and dimensioned to be secured to a respective fingertip a plurality of fingertip anchorings. Each of the fingertip anchorings is secured to a respective fingertip engaging member. A plurality of respective palm anchorings are secured to the anchoring member. A plurality of respective elastic members each have first and second ends. The first end of each of the elastic members is secured to the fingertip anchorings. The second end of each of the elastic members is secured to the palm anchorings. Alternatively, the securement and the anchoring member comprise a closed loop elastic strap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/419,359, filed on Apr. 21, 2003 and entitled HAND EXERCISINGDEVICE.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to exercise devices and, moreparticularly, to devices for strengthening or rehabilitating theextensor muscles and other muscles involved with the movement of thejoints in the hands, wrist, fingers and thumb.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been recognized that it is possible to strengthen themuscles and tendons of a human hand by providing resistive exercisesover a period of time. It has been found especially desirable to providea device which offers adjustable resistance to the fingers, wrists andforearms being flexed in order to provide a suitable degree of exerciseto the joints in motion. In the instance of post traumatic recovery, itis important to provide increasing resistance during the period when themuscles and tendons of the hand, wrist and forearms are recovering fromthe injury. Finger and wrist exercisers have also been suggested whichwould provide conditioning for a healthy hand, such a device being usedby dentists, athletes or other persons requiring a high degree of manualdexterity and strength in their professions.

Moreover, a proliferation of computer keyboards in offices and homes hasgiven rise to a dramatic increase in repetitive strain injuries such asnerve entrapments, tendon problems and muscle strain. Such injuries arecommonly perceived as persistent aches or soreness in the forearms andwrists, or pain that may be felt from the shoulder to the fingertips. Ifleft untreated, the soreness can escalate into a full blown disability.

One of the numerous types of repetitive strain injury is known as carpaltunnel syndrome. This refers to compression of the median nerve as aresult of swelling of tendons and sheaths, or repeated bending of thewrist, as can occur in susceptible individuals as a result of protracteduse of a computer keyboard. The position in which the hands and fingersare placed to use a keyboard typically keeps the associated muscles inflexion which may cause the carpal dome to slip in an anteriordirection, causing shooting pain and numbness in the fingers. Wristrests and other devices are commonly used to support the wrists whenthere is a pause during typing. However, such devices, while relievingstress on muscles and joints in some circumstances, do nothing tostrengthen or rehabilitate the muscles and joints to avoid injury, or torehabilitate from prior injury. Moreover, the advantageous aspects ofwrist rests may depend on the manner in which the user's wrist ispositioned. Misuse of a wrist rest may in fact cause more harm thangood, increasing the potential for carpal tunnel injury.

Charles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,052 describes a “finger exerciser”which suffers from the disability of not providing a force against whichto exercise the thumb because it uses an elbow anchor. The patentdiscloses a device for carpal tunnel syndrome having “a plurality ofelastic bands” extending from a housing attached at the elbow andextending to the wrist and projecting on the inside of the wearer's palmand attached to the tips of each finger. The device is designed toexercise the extensor muscles of the hand, wrist, and fingers by havingthe digits extend outwardly working against the tension of the elasticbands.

Fasano, U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,220 teaches a glove which is a handexerciser. It also fails to show a structure which is substantiallystretched by the thumb, as anchoring is at the wrist. The patentdescribes a glove having flexible inserts radiating from the wrist tothe tip of each finger embedded into the palm surface. The inserts maybe tightened at the wrist to adjust the tension. However, it isdifficult to see how such a device can be put on the hand without greatdifficulty, with fingers curled up by the elastic straps.

Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,019 discloses an exerciser for finger, hand,wrist and forearm. The exerciser consists of a frame with a handsupport, a system of pulleys and weights, and finger-receiving loops.The user would insert the fingers into the loops and either extend thefingers without moving the wrist or flex the wrist backwards.

Although there are many devices in the prior art for exercising thefingers, these prior devices do a poor job of fully exercising the handmuscles. The prior art exercises for extension and flexion do notprovide balanced finger extension exercise in that they are largelyunable to move the thumb in its natural flexion path. More specifically,exercise devices, such as spongy balls for squeezing, coil springs andthe like, and normal exercise tend to emphasize development of themuscles which close the hand into a fist. The result is that the naturalposition of the hand is with the fingers curled inwards. This means thatthe muscles are relatively short in their relaxed state and the grip ofthe hand is weak; loss of range of motion becomes an issue after a time.This is a natural result of aging in all people, for example exhibitedas a slow closing of the hand accelerated more so at the ring and pinkyfingers.

In order to strengthen the muscles and joints of the hand to avoidcarpal tunnel injury or repetitive strain injuries (RSI), it isdesirable to strengthen the extensor muscles and tendons to preventthose muscles from becoming overpowered by flexor muscles as well asbecoming injured by repetitive strain. While various devices have beenproposed which exercise the extensor muscles, such devices areinadequate due to poor design to address the causes of repetitive straininjuries

There is accordingly a need for a device which can provide thesedesirable capabilities to specifically address the conditioning of thethumb, fingers, wrists and forearms leading to the elbows by exercise ina natural path of motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exercising device for the hand, wrist and forearm comprises ananchoring member. A securement is secured to the anchoring membercomprising a band with a pair of ends configured to extend around and besecured to the hand of the user and configured to support the anchoringmember in a position overlying the palm of the hand of a user and iscoupled to the hand of the user. A plurality of fingertip engagingmembers are each configured and dimensioned to be secured to arespective fingertip a plurality of fingertip anchorings. Each of thefingertip anchorings is secured to a respective fingertip engagingmember. A plurality of respective palm anchorings are configured on theanchoring member. A plurality of respective elastic members each havefirst and second ends. The first end of each of the elastic members issecured to the fingertip anchorings. The second end of each of theelastic members is secured to the palm anchorings.

Alternatively, the securement and the anchoring member comprises aclosed loop elastic strap.

Alternatively, elastic members may be removably attached at the palm andat the fingertips. This allows the substitution of selected elasticmembers requiring greater or lesser force. Such selection is madedepending on the strength of the hand and other exercise objectives.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the securement and theanchoring member comprise a strap with a pair of ends. The ends areoriented and dimensioned to extend around the hand and palm of a user. Afirst mating attachment is attached to one of the straps. A secondmating attachment is attached to the other of the straps. The firstmating attachment is attachable to the second mating attachment tosecure the straps around the hand of a user. In accordance with thepreferred embodiment, the ends may be secured to each other by Velcro orthe ends may be secured to each other by a buckle. Alternatively, theends may be secured to each other by a stud on one end which mates withholes on the other end.

The inventive device may be used in therapy in the case of a hand whererange of motion has been compromised or as a conditioning device tobuild strength, combat the effects of aging and minimize the risk ofinjury.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the elastic members may besecured to any one of a number of palm anchorings.

In accordance with one embodiment, the fingertip engaging members andthe anchoring members are injection molded in one operation, with theelastic members integral with the anchoring member.

In accordance with the invention, the elastic members may compriseelastic rubber. Likewise, the cups may be made of elastic rubber.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment the elastic members may bepermanently secured to fingertip anchorings and the palm anchorings maybe disposed throughout the area of the anchoring member which overliesthe palm of a user when the exercising device is used. The palmanchorings may be removably connected to the second ends of the elasticmembers, in order to provide customization of the force and direction offorce experienced by the hand during exercise.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionprovides a device for exercising the finger, thumb, hand, wrist andforearm, thereby providing a useful therapeutic device for personsrecovering from traumatic injury to the hand and its associated anatomicparts. The present device is also useful for athletes, musicians,surgeons, typists and other persons requiring a high degree of manualdexterity in their professions.

Still another embodiment of the invention uses a palm rest on a base towhich a plurality of elastic members are secured to provide a convenientdesk exercise device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention, and of making and using theinvention, as well as the best mode contemplated of carrying out theinvention, if not described above, are described in detail below, by wayof example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which likereference characters where practical designate the same or similarelements throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view from the top illustrating the invention on the hand ofa user showing the position of the inventive exerciser against the palmof the user with the fingers extended against the force of the inventivedevice;

FIG. 2 illustrates the inventive device of FIG. 1 with the fingers in asubstantially unextended position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2to along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of the hand exerciser of the present invention asillustrated FIG. 1 from the bottom;

FIG. 5 illustrates an anchoring in accordance with the invention alonglines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative anchoring particularly useful for thealternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the invention showing analternative embodiment of the fingertip engaging members;

FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of the invention showing anotheralternative embodiment of the fingertip engaging members;

FIG. 10 illustrates a desk mounted version of the inventive device inuse;

FIG. 11 illustrates the alternative embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 10 with the elastic members and finger cups removed for purposes ofclarity of illustration of the base and palm rest;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the top illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the invention with the parts in the position which theyare in before they are about to be used;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the hand exercising deviceillustrated in FIG. 12 showing the parts in the configuration in whichthey are molded during manufacture of the inventive exercising deviceand before they are bent or deflected by assembly of the inventive handexercising device;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the palm anchoring plate for the handexercising device illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the plate of FIG. 14 along lines15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front plan view of the plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the plate of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the back anchor in the inventive handexercising device;

FIG. 21 is a front plan view of the back anchor of the inventive handexercising device; and

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the back anchor in the inventivehand exercising device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyform in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions and sequence of steps ofconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. It is understood, however, that the same orequivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the inventive hand exerciser 5 comprises abelt-like anchoring member 10. In accordance with the preferredembodiment, hand exercisers are provided in a number of discrete sizes,such as a size dimensioned for a relatively small child, perhaps theaverage sized 10-year-old. The next size up may match the average15-year-old, followed by an exerciser whose size is matched to the sizeof an average 22-year-old. Perhaps two larger sizes may be provided forindividuals with still larger hands and those whose hands areexceptionally large.

In preferred embodiments, anchoring member 10 is a substantially planarmember made of a flexible material and long enough to extend around thepalm and back of the hand of the user with enough extra lengths to allowuse of a suitable fastener. Suitable materials for anchoring member 10may include any strong flexible material such as plastic or textilefabric, preferably of relatively thick dimension and not necessarilyflat or one-dimensional.

Engagement of the fingertips of the hand with hand exerciser 5 isachieved through the use of five fingertip engaging members. Inaccordance with the preferred embodiment, the fingertip engaging memberstake the form of a plurality of flexible cups 12-20. Thumb cup 12 is ofrelatively large dimension to accommodate the thumb. In accordance withthe preferred embodiment, thumb cup 12 is made slightly larger than thethumb of the hand of the size for which the hand exerciser 5 isdesigned. This allows it to be easily positioned over the tip of thefinger in preparation for exercise as detailed below.

Thumb cup 12 must also be relatively strong because proper exercising ofthe thumb requires more force than, for example, proper exercising ofthe pinkie. Accordingly, thumb cup 12 is subjected to greater forces andmust be dimensioned to remain durable under constant forces of themagnitude needed to properly exercise the thumb.

Forefinger cup 14, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, isthinner than thumb cup 12. However, cups 12-20 may all be the samedimension, or a limited number of dimensions, which will reduce costs inthe case of an exercising device constructed in accordance with thepresent invention made from separately molded cups connected by separatenon-integral elastic members, as all be described more fully below.

Middle finger cup 16 and ring finger cup 18 are also of somewhat smallerdimension, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, as compared tothumb cup 12. However, pinkie cup 20, which fits around the pinkiefingertip is of still smaller dimension because the pinkie is thesmallest finger on the hand. Thus, each of cups 12-20 is configured anddimensioned to be loosely fit onto and secured to its respectivefingertip.

Each of the cups 12-20 is, in accordance with the preferred embodiment,formed integrally with a respective one of fingertip anchorings 22, 24,26, 28, and 30. Anchoring 26, for illustrative purposes, is shown indetail in FIG. 5 and generally comprises a wide conical base portion 31.An opposite tension point to fingertip anchorings 22-30 is provided byfive palm anchorings 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40, respectively. Palmanchorings 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 are secured at their respectivepositions on anchoring member 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, fingertip anchorings 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30are secured to their respective palm anchorings 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40,respectively, by elastic members 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50, respectively.More particularly, each elastic member 42-50 has a first and a secondend. The first end of each elastic member is secured to its fingertipanchoring. The second end of each elastic member is secured to itsrespective palm anchoring. In preferred embodiments elastic members 42,44, 46, 48, and 50 are integral with anchoring member 10. Preferably,anchoring member 10, elastic members 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50, fingertipengaging cups 12-20 and anchoring member 10 are injection molded in oneoperation from an elastic moldable material similar to that used tomanufacture rubber bands. Alternatively, member 10, elastic members 42,44, 46, 48, and 50, fingertip engaging cups 12-20 may be manufactured inseparate operations and hand exerciser 5 assembled using any knownprocedure which will result in structural integrity under the forcestypically experienced during exercise of the hand. Elastic members 42,44, 46, 48, and 50 may comprise elastic rubber or other appropriatesynthetic or natural materials.

Elastic members 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 are appropriately dimensioned toprovide a desired range of force depending on the elasticity of thematerial of which elastic members 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 are made andthe dimensions of the elastic members. In preferred embodiments, elasticmembers 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 are dimensioned to exert more forceagainst the extension of the thumb and less force against the extensionof the pinkie. Elastic members 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 may or may not bepermanently secured to fingertip anchorings, depending on the preferenceof the designer. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplatedthat structure may be provided to enable the user to adjust resistancelevels on either elastic members or at attachment to anchoring member.

As shown in FIG. 4, anchoring member 10 is preferably configured anddimensioned to extend around the hand of the user and with a lengthlarge enough to allow the ends to lie over each other, providing enoughlength for a closure, such as a buckle or Velcro brand hook and loopattachment. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ends of anchoringmember 10 form a pair of strap ends 60 and 62 which are oriented anddimensioned to extend around the hand. Straps 60 and 62 may be attachedto each other, for example by mating Velcro hook material 64 a and loopmaterial 64 b, each of which is secured to its respective strap 60 and62. In addition to hook and loop type attachments, other suitableattachment devices include buckle, stud and hole, an eyelet hook system,and snaps. Anchoring member 10 may also comprise a one piece stretchablematerial, a metal coated with plastic or the like. It may be planar, orhave a slope that conforms to the hand.

When it is desired to use the inventive exerciser 5, the user securesanchoring member 10 around the hand as illustrated in FIG. 1, with palmanchorings 32-40 positioned over the palm of the hand of the user.Placement of palm anchorings 3240 over the palm has the advantage ofproviding for a substantially similar amounts of stretch in all of theelastic members 42-50, including elastic member 42 which is used toexercise the thumb, as will be understood from the description below.

Anchoring member 10 is then secured in place by placing strap end 60over strap end 62, tightly securing anchoring member 10 around the hand,as illustrated in FIG. 4. This results in mating attachment betweenhooks in material 64 a and loops in material 64 b. The result is thatanchoring member 10 is securely fastened around the hand of the user inthe fashion of a belt.

Flexible fingertip cups 12-20 are then positioned over the tip of theirrespective fingers, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This is done while thehand is in the almost closed position. At this point, the user may beginto exercise the hand. During exercise the hand is cycled between theposition illustrated in FIG. 2, where elastic members 42-50 are notunder tension to the position shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG.2, elastic members 42-50 are of substantially equal length in thecompressed position. When the hand is extended, as illustrated inphantom lines in FIG. 2, elastic members 42-50 are subjected to similarextension in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Thus, all of theelastic members 42-50 exert substantial force on the fingers of the handof the user or when the exerciser 5 is in the extended position shown inFIGS. 1 and 4.

When it is desired to exercise, the hand is first put in the positionillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The user that extends all the fingerssimultaneously into the outstretched position illustrated in FIG. 1. Ifdesired, the user may increase the value of the exercise by maintainingthe hand in the outstretched position illustrated in FIG. 1.

After the hand is put in the outstretched position illustrated in FIG.1, the fingertips are then slowly returned to the position illustratedin FIG. 3. Slow return from the FIG. 1 position to the FIG. 2 positionimproves the quality of the exercise, as the muscles are developed andstrengthened at a plurality of positions.

Once the hand has been placed in the position of FIG. 3, the hands areslowly outstretched toward the position shown in phantom lines in FIG.2. Here again, the slow outstretching of the fingers is important todevelop strength over the full range of movement of the fingers in boththe outstretching and the opposite grasping movement. It is noted thatwhile outstretching the hand and holding that position, increasedflexibility can be gained in the palm.

As shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, an alternative handexerciser 105 comprises an anchoring member 110, thumb cup 112,forefinger cup 114, middle finger cup 116, ring finger cup 118, andpinkie cup 120. Anchoring member 110 overlies the palm of a user whenthe exercising device is being used. The fingertip anchorings 122, 124,126, 128, and 130 are respectively provided for each end of thefingertip anchorings secured to their respective fingertip engagingmember. In the embodiment shown, exerciser 105 includes multiple palmanchorings 131 a, 131 b, 131 c, 131 d, 131 e, 131 f, 131 g, . . . 131 s(collectively referred to as “anchorings 131”). Anchorings 131 aredisposed throughout the area of anchoring member 110. Palm anchorings131 are removably connected to any one of the elastic members 142, 144,146, 148, and 150, in order to provide customization of the amount offorce and direction of force experienced by the hand during exercise.Elastic member 142-150 may be selected for any desired force range.

The provision of a plurality of anchorings 131 allows one to ensure thatthe primary exercise being implemented is balanced. In accordance withthe preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that the primary musclesto be exercised are best exercised when the elastic members line up withthe finger. Such a condition is illustrated in FIG. 1, where elasticband 44 lines up with the index finger. However, particularly if oneexercising device is used to accommodate a wide variety of hand sizesand shapes, it is possible that fixed palm anchorings may result in asituation such as that illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1 where theelastic member 44 is canted to the side. The provision of a plurality ofanchorings 131 in the embodiment of FIG. 6 ensures the ability to placean anchoring in the position which will result in the outstretchedfinger of the person doing the exercise being substantially parallel inorientation to the tensioned elastic member, as illustrated in solidlines in FIGS. 1 and 6. The plurality of anchorings also enable the userto increase or decrease resistance in an individual finger.

In accordance with the invention, any one of a number of prior artattachment devices may be used to connect the elastic members to thefingertip cups and to the palm anchorings. FIG. 7 illustrates one of anumber of possible anchoring mechanisms particularly useful for thealternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. More particularly, and inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, a number ofelastic cords 224 are provided. Elastic cords 224 connect to hooks 225.Each hook 225 includes a coiled portion 227, which is tightly woundaround the end of elastic cord 224. An integral hook portion 229 isformed from the same metal wire or bar stock that forms coiled portion227. Hook 224 may be made of stainless steel or other suitable materialwith the requisite strength and sufficient non-reactivity when in closecontact with the skin of the exercise device user.

Hook portion 229 mates with loop members 233 which are secured toanchoring member 210 through the use of a plurality of frustro conicalsupport bases 235. Frustro conical support bases 235 are embedded inanchoring member 210. In accordance with the preferred embodiment,anchoring member 210 may be made of a flexible plastic material and maybe injection molded. Prior to injection molding of the anchoring member210, loop members 233 are placed in the mold with the frustro conicalsupport bases 235 extending into the cavity of the mold. Suitable resinis then injected into the mold, surrounding frustro conical supportbases 235 and forming anchoring member 210. The result is to form ananchoring member 210 with securely fastened loop members 233.Alternative support bases may comprise T-shaped terminations, or anysuitably sized and shaped termination which results in securelyanchoring loop members 233 in anchoring member 210.

As shown in FIG. 8, an alternative fingertip engaging member, suitablefor use in any of the disclosed inventive exercising devices, takes theform of strips of fabric or similar material which may be formed intoloops, as illustrated. FIG. 8 shows a fingertip engaging member for athumb comprising strip 312. Strip 312 comprises a flexible material suchas fabric. The ends of the loops may be secured through eyelet hook orother fastening system. In a preferred embodiment, the size of loop 312is adjustably secured around the fingertip of a user through the use ofa Velcro™ hook and loop securement system. Material bearing hooks 360 issecured to one of the ends of strip 312. The other end of strip 312 hasVelcro type loop material 362. The use of Velcro provides for acustomizable fit.

Still another alternative fingertip engaging member 412 is shown in FIG.9. The fingertip engaging member 412 takes the form of a cup similar tothe cups which are used to engage the fingertip in the FIG. 1embodiment. The difference is that elastic member 442 extends from theperipheral edge at the opening of cup 412. Otherwise, the structure andoperation of the device incorporating engaging member 412 of FIG. 9 issimilar to the exercising device 5 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a desk mounted exercise device 505may include a base 506 which is integral with a T-shaped anchor 510.Anchor 510 supports the hand of the user. Exercise device 505 has partsanalogous to the exercise device 5 of the FIG. 1 embodiment, only someof which are numbered for purposes of clarity of illustration andsuccinctness of description. Exercise device 505 comprises fingertipcups 512 and 520, anchorings 538 and 540, and elastic members such aselastic member 542. Exercise device 505 is used in the same manner ashand exerciser 5, except that the hand is inserted during exercise, asillustrated.

During the movement of the hand from the position illustrated in, forexample, FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, it is noted thatthe fingers of the hand extend sideways, from positions where they aresubstantially parallel to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 2, topositions where they radiate from a central area in directions which areat an angle with respect to each other and separated from each other. Inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, a mildelastic resistance is provided by the alternative exerciser through theuse of a plurality of elastic bands 666, 668 and 670, which extendbetween the index finger and the middle finger, the middle finger andthe ring finger, and the ring finger and the pinkie, respectively, asillustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The stretching of elastic bands666, 668 and 670 requires much less force than the stretching of theother elastic bands, as only mild resistance is needed to achieve thedesired development of the muscles. Thus, in accordance with thisembodiment, the alternative exerciser includes all of the structure ofthe FIG. 1 embodiment together with the additional elastic bands 666,668 and 670.

Referring to FIGS. 12-19, the inventive hand exerciser 705 comprises apalm anchor member 710 which cooperates with a Velcro belt 742. The handmounting structure for securing exerciser 705 to the hand of the userfurther comprises a back anchoring member 799. Belt 742 passes throughholes 743 on back anchoring member 799, as shown most clearly in FIGS.12 and 20. Belt 742 also passes through holes 745 on palm anchor member710, as illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 12 and 14. Belt 742 may belooped through holes 743 a at one end and permanently sewn in position.The other end of belt 742 may carry a male Velcro (trademark) hook andloop member 747 which mates with female Velcro hook and loop material onthe backside 749 of belt 742. This allows the other end of belt 742 tobe looped through its respective hole 743, adjusted to be tightlysecured around the base of the hand or the wrist of the user and lockedin position by engagement of the male Velcro hook and loop with thefemale Velcro hook and loop.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, hand exercisers areprovided in a number of discrete sizes, such as a size dimensioned anaverage 22-year-old male.

In preferred embodiments, anchoring member 799 is a substantially planarmember made of a flexible material and having arms 801 long enough toextend around the palm and back of the hand of the user with enoughextra lengths to allow use of a suitable fastener. Suitable materialsfor anchoring member 799 may include any strong flexible material suchas plastic or textile fabric, preferably of relatively thick dimensionand not necessarily flat or one-dimensional. Arms 801 or secured inposition against anchor member 710 by support member 760 which bearsagainst arms 801. In addition, screws 731 a and 731 d pass through holes803 and screw into member 710 to secure the structure. The structure isfurther secured by holes 731 b and 731 c.

Engagement of the fingertips 805 of the hand and the tip 807 of thethumb with hand exerciser 705 is achieved through the use of fivefingertip engaging members and one of a pair of thumb-engaging members.A pair of thumb-engaging members 732 r and 732 l are provided to enableuse of the exercising device with either the right or the left-hand,respectively. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the fingertipengaging members take the form of a plurality of flexible conicalfingertip anchor rings 732, 714, 716, 718, and 720, made of rubber,plastic or similar material, preferably a rubbery synthetic material.Thumb ring 732 is of relatively large dimension to accommodate thethumb. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, thumb ring 732 maybe made slightly larger than the thumb of the hand of the size for whichthe hand exerciser 705 is designed. This allows it to be easilypositioned over the tip of the finger in preparation for exercise asdetailed below.

Thumb rings 732 must also be relatively strong because proper exercisingof the thumb requires more force than, for example, proper exercising ofthe pinky or little finger. Accordingly, thumb ring 732 is subjected togreater forces and must be dimensioned to remain durable under constantforces of the magnitude needed to properly exercise the thumb. Thumbrings 732 are manufactured in a single injection molding process from arubbery material which forms both thumb rings 732 and the elastic band732 a between them in one operation.

Finger rings 714 and 720 in accordance with the preferred embodiment,are smaller in circumference than thumb ring 732. However, rings 714,716, 718, and 720 may all be the same dimension, or a limited number ofdimensions, which will reduce costs in the case of an exercising deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention made fromseparately molded conical fingertip anchor rings connected by elasticmembers, as will be described more fully below. In accordance with thepreferred embodiment, elastic members 714 b-720 b are integral withtheir respective finger rings 714-720 and their respective anchor sideconnectors 718 a through 720 a. Similarly, from engaging rings 732 areintegral with elastic band 732 a.

The conical fingertip anchor rings 716 and 718, designed for the middleand ring fingers may be of somewhat smaller dimension, in accordancewith the preferred embodiment, as compared to conical thumb ring 732.However, pinky or index finger (depending upon whether a right or lefthand is being exercised by the inventive exerciser) rings 720 and 714,which fit around the pinky or index fingertip are of still smallerdimension because the pinky or index fingers are the smallest fingers onthe hand.

Each of the rings 714, 716, 718, and 720 are, in accordance with thepreferred embodiment, formed integrally with a respective one ofelongated elastic members 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b and elasticallytethered by tension anchors 714 a, 716 a, 718 a, and 720 a. On theopposite side of the elongated elastic bands 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and720 b are tension anchors 714 a, 716 a, 718 a, and 720 a.

Tension anchors 714 a, 716 a, 718 a, and 720 a are engaged by, forexample, fingers 734 a-b, being adjacent the selected one of the twelvepalm anchoring holes 734, 734′, 734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″,740, 740′, and 740 found on palm anchor 710. Palm anchor 710 providestwelve such anchoring holes 734, 734′, 734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′,738″, 740, 740′, and 740 which mate with tension anchors 714 a, 716 a,718 a, and 720 a for the purposes of user selected tension control. Palmanchoring holes 734, 734′, 734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″, 740,740′, and 740″ have associated with them fingers 734 a-b; 734′a-b;734″a-b; 736 a-b; 736′a-b; 736″a-b; 738 a-b; 738′a-b; 738″a-b; 740 a-b;740′a-b; and 740″a-b, respectively. These fingers are used to securetension anchors 714 a, 716 a, 718 a, and 720 a at user selectablepositions on anchoring member 710. Anchors 714 a, 716 a, 718 a, and 720a are secured adjacent that one of the twelve anchor holes 734, 734′,734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″, 740, 740′, and 740″ via thefingers, a pair of which fingers are affixed adjacent the top of each ofthe twelve anchoring holes.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, conical fingertip anchor rings 714, 716,718, and 720 are secured to their respective palm anchorings 734, 734′,734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″, 740, 740′, and 740″,respectively, by elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b,respectively. The thumb conical fingertip anchor rings are securedtogether by elastic member 732 a. More particularly, each elastic member714, 716, 718, and 720 has a first and a second end. The first end ofeach elastic member is secured to and preferably integral with itsconical fingertip anchor ring. The second end of each elastic member issecured to and preferably integral with its respective palm anchoring,which depends on the desired tension setting.

Skeletal member 759 and back anchoring member 799 are molded in twooperations. First skeletal member 759 is manufactured and then backanchoring member 799 is, for example, injection molded around skeletalmember 759. Skeletal member 759 may be marked with a self-adhesiveurethane decal to display a trademark. Anchoring member 799 may be madefrom an elastic moldable material similar to that used to manufacturerubbery products. In contrast, skeletal member 759 is molded from asignificantly harder material. Similarly, palm anchor member 710 is alsomade from a relatively stiff and resilient material which offers wristand palm support during the exercise.

While the parts are manufactured in separate operations, hand exerciser705 may be assembled using any known procedure which will result instructural integrity under the forces typically experienced duringexercise of the hand. Elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and720 b may comprise elastic rubber or other appropriate synthetic ornatural materials.

Elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b test between palmanchoring member 710 and support members 760 which has a plurality oftracks 761 and holes 763 through which elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716b, 718 b, and 720 b pass, preferably under tension, thus serving asmountings for conical fingertip anchoring 714-720 as illustrated in FIG.12.

Elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b are appropriatelydimensioned to provide a desired range of force depending on theelasticity of the material of which elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b,718 b, and 720 b are made and the dimensions of the elastic members. Inpreferred embodiments, elastic 732, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b aredimensioned to exert more force against the extension of the thumb andless force against the extension of the pinky or little finger. Elasticmembers 732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b may or may not bepermanently secured to conical fingertip anchor rings, depending on thepreference of the designer.

As shown in FIG. 20, anchoring member 742 is preferably configured anddimensioned to extend around the hand of the user. Strap 742 may befastened, for example by mating Velcro hook material and loop materialon the ends and middle of the strap or which is secure to the strap viastitching. In addition to hook and loop type attachments, other suitableattachment devices include buckle, stud and hole, an eyelet hook system,and snaps.

Alternatively, and 742, which secures device 705 to the hand at thewrist of the user has a length large enough to allow the ends to lieover each other, providing enough length for a closure, such as a buckleor Velcro brand hook and loop attachment. In an alternative embodiment,Anchoring member 799 may also comprise a one piece stretchable material,a metal coated with plastic or the like. It may be planar, or have aslope that conforms to the hand. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the ends ofanchoring member 742 connect back anchoring member 799 to palm anchoringmember 710 and also hold the elongated belt 742 in place.

When it is desired to use the inventive exerciser 705, the user securesbelt 742 around the wrist 739 as illustrated in FIG. 12, with palmanchorings 734, 734′, 734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″, 740, 740′,and 740″ positioned over the palm of the hand of the user. Placement ofpalm anchorings 734, 734′, 734″, 736, 736′, 736″, 738, 738′, 738″, 740,740′, and 740″ over the palm has the advantage of providing forsubstantially similar, or selectively different, or proportionateamounts of stretch in all of the elastic members 732 a, 714 b, 716 b,718 b, and 720 b, including elastic member 732 which is used to exercisethe thumb, as will be understood from the description below.

Anchoring member 710 is then secured in place by placing tighteningstrap 742 (as configured passing through holes 743 and 745) around thehand, as illustrated in FIG. 12. This results in mating attachmentbetween hooks stitched on strap 742 to the loops also on strap 742. Theresult is that the inventive exerciser 705 is securely fastened to thehand of the user.

Flexible conical fingertip anchor rings 732, 714, 716, 718, and 720 arethen positioned over the tip of their respective fingers, as illustratedin FIG. 12. This is done while the hand is in the almost closedposition. At this point, the user may begin to exercise the hand. Duringexercise the hand is cycled between the position where elastic members732, 714, 716, 718, and 720 are not under substantial tension to aposition substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1. When the handis extended, as illustrated in phantom lines in elastic members 732 a,714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b are subjected to similar extension inaccordance with the preferred embodiment. Thus, all of the elasticmembers 732 a, 71 b, 71 b, 71 b, and 72 b exert adjustable andpotentially substantial force on the fingers of the hand of the user orwhen the exerciser 705 is in the extended position.

When it is desired to exercise, the hand is first put in a positionsimilar to that illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The user then extends oneor more of his fingers simultaneously into the outstretched positionsubstantially as illustrated in FIG. 1-2. If desired, the user mayincrease the value of the exercise by maintaining the hand in theoutstretched position illustrated in FIG. 1 or by changing the tensionof the elongated members by affixing their anchor side connectors marked732 a, 714 b, 716 b, 718 b, and 720 b to anchor holes 734′, 734″, 736′,736″, 738′, 738″, 740′, and 740″ closer to the wrist.

After the hand is put in the outstretched position illustrated in FIG.1, the fingertips are then slowly returned to a position substantiallyas illustrated in FIG. 3. Slow return from the FIG. 1 position to theFIG. 2 position improves the quality of the exercise, as the muscles aredeveloped and strengthened at a plurality of positions.

While some illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, skeletalmember 759 has a recessed area that may house a urocal (urethane logodecal) which could be also printed instead. Such modifications arewithin the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited anddefined only by the appended claims.

1. An exercising arrangement for enabling a user to exercise the handcomprising: a hand of a user; an anchoring member positioned over thepalm of the hand of the user; a support secured to said anchoring memberand configured and dimensioned to bindingly support the anchoring memberin position overlying the palm of the hand of a user; a plurality offingertip engaging members, each configured and dimensioned to besecured to a respective fingertip; a first one of said fingertipengaging members being disposed around the tip of the thumb of the hand.a plurality of fingertip anchorings, each of said fingertip anchoringssecured to a respective fingertip engaging member; a plurality ofrespective base anchorings a first one of which is secured to saidanchoring member at a point overlying the palm of a user; a plurality ofrespective elastic members each having first and second ends, the firstend of each of said elastic members being secured to said fingertipanchorings, and the second end of said of said elastic members beingsecured to said base anchorings, a first one of said elastic memberbeing secured to the anchoring associated with said first finger tipengaging member, at its first end and secured to said first baseanchoring at its second end, each of said elastic members having alength which results in stretching when the tips of the fingers andthumb of a user are moved from the respective positions which said thumband fingers have when the hand is in the configuration of a first to theposition which said thumb and fingers have when the fingers of the handare outstretched.
 2. An exercising device for the hand for applyingforce upon the opening of the hand, as in claim 1, wherein said supportand said anchoring member comprise a strap with a pair of ends, saidends being oriented and dimensioned to extend around the hand and palmof a user and further comprising a first mating attachment attached toone of said straps and a second mating attachment attached to the otherof said straps said first mating attachment being attachable to saidsecond mating attachment to secure said straps around the hand of auser.
 3. An exercising device for the hand for applying force upon theopening of the hand, as in claim 1, wherein said elastic members may besecured to any one of a number of palm anchorings.
 4. Exercising devicefor the hand for applying force upon the opening of the hand, as inclaim 1, wherein said elastic members, said fingertip engaging membersand said anchoring members are injection molded in one operation.
 5. Anexercising device for the hand for applying force upon the opening ofthe hand, as in claim 1, wherein said elastic members are integral withsaid palm anchorings, and said palm anchorings mate with and areengageable by support structure on said anchoring member.
 6. Anexercising device for the hand for applying force upon the opening ofthe hand, as in claim 1, wherein said palm anchorings are securable tomating support structures positioned at two or more different positionson said anchoring member and which overlies the palm of a the user whenthe exercising device is being used, said palm anchorings beingremovably connected to said support structures, in order to providecustomization of the force and direction of force experienced by thefingers of the hand during exercise.
 7. An exercising device for thehand for applying force upon the opening of the hand, as in claim 1,wherein said elastic members are permanently secured to fingertipanchorings, said palm anchorings being disposed throughout the area ofsaid anchoring member which overlies the palm of a user when theexercising device is being used, said palm anchorings being removablyconnected to said second ends of said elastic members, in order toprovide customization of the force and direction of force experienced bythe hand during exercise, said anchoring member comprising a pair ofstraps which are oriented and dimensioned to extend around the hand andpalm of a user and further comprising a first mating attachment attachedto one of said straps and a second mating attachment attached to one ofsaid straps and a second mating attachment attached to the other of saidstraps said first mating attachment being attachable to said secondmating attachment to secure said straps around the hand of a user.
 8. Anexercising device for the hand for applying force upon the opening ofthe hand, as in claim 1, wherein said elastic members are dimensioned toexert more force against the extension of the thumb and less forceagainst the extension of the pinkie.
 9. An exercising device for thehand for applying force upon the opening of the hand, as in claim 1wherein said anchoring member is substantially planar, flexible, andmade of plastic, fabric or metal coated with plastic.
 10. An exercisingdevice for the hand, comprising: (a) a hand of a user, said hand havinga palm; (b) an anchoring member configured to be secured to the hand ofa the user overlying the palm of the hand of said user; (c) a pluralityof fingertip engaging members, each configured and dimensioned to besecured to a respective fingertip; (d) a plurality of elastic cords; (e)a plurality of respective base anchorings disposed on said anchoringmember each secured or securable to one end of a respective one of saidelastic cords, a first one of said base anchorings being secured overthe palm of said hand; and (f) a plurality of fingertip anchorings eachsecured or securable to a second end of a respective elastic cord, saidfirst ends of said cords being positionable to be anchored on a selectedone of said base anchorings so that an outstretched finger beingexercised is oriented in largely the same general direction as thetensioned elastic member, said first one of said base anchorings beingpositioned and configured to engage said first one of said elastic cordssecured to a fingertip anchoring mounted on the thumb of the hand beingexercised and exert a force against outstretching movement of the thumbin the direction of movement of the thumb when moving from the positionof a first to the position of outstretched fingers, the length of saidelastic cord being less than the distance between the tip of said thumband said first base anchoring.
 11. An exercising device as in claim 10,further comprising a securement secured to said anchoring member andconfigured to support the anchoring member in a position overlying thepalm of the hand of a user at a point proximate the base of the fingersof a user and be coupled to the hand of said user.
 12. A hand exercisingdevice as in claim 10, wherein a hole is defined in said anchoringmember and wherein said palm anchoring engaging member is larger thansaid hole and during use is passed through said hole.
 13. A handexercising device as in claim 10, wherein said anchoring membercomprises a backing member and a palm member, said backing member andsaid palm member being securable to each other.
 14. A hand exercisingdevice as in claim 10, wherein a pair of thumb engaging members aresecured to each other by an elastic band which is secured to said palmanchoring member.
 15. An exercising device as in claim 1, wherein saidpoint is closer to the fingers of a user than to the wrist of a user.16. A device as in claim 1, wherein said anchoring member comprises apalm plate and a cover plate and said elastic members are disposedbetween said palm plate and said cover plate.
 17. A device as in claim10, wherein said at least one of said base anchorings is positionedgenerally proximate the base of the pinky finger of the hand beingexercised.